I do my bst to avoid the groupsout thee who just wnt to share how miserable they are, not try to help find things together.
And yeah, digging around to much will just make you depressed!

Of if you mut search, try the mayo clinic or WebMD. These has a lot of good information without scaring you/

ReDee,
I've wondered about that too. I've read some of her stuff and the sarcasm gets a little old. It is informative if you use compairson and see what other reputable sites say as well. If I didn't take Prednisone I'd be in the hospital hooked to a morphine pump! I'm diagnosed 2 years and everything so far has made me have infections so I'm on my way to Orencia next week. The Prednisone has kicked in and I feel so much better. I had not had such bad inflammation since I was diagnosed. You may catch some slack from posting this because she has a lot of followers but I agree with you.

I like what Kelly is doing in bringing attention to RA, to hopefully get real research done.
I wish we had the awareness for RA or autoimmune diseaseas that breast cancer has.

I joined her FB page and watched the commercial last night that she has recorded for awareness. Of course, that got me "binging or googling" eye problems with RA. EEK. And I just had to look further on mortality and RA. EEK again.
I'm a firm believer that we need to be on medication that reduces inflammation to prevent heart disease (and control pain and furhter damage). We are at HIGH risk of it with our RA. For that alone, I am ok with getting a little scared from time to time.

But I agree, ReeDee. It's not worth it to have this disease and walk around with our glass half empty. Enough negativity.

Kelly has taken on a task that no one else would and I am appreciative. I find her posts informative and empowering, but understand why some folks wouldn't.

Even if you don't follow her, be thankful that she is bringing attention to our disease, getting Congress aware, and compiling information that really hasn't been brought together. Is some of it scary? Yes! But I would rather be aware so that I can keep tabs on myself --- like the heart, eyes, silent joint erosion, etc.

Each to their own and God bless us all.

Knowing that RA is individual to each person in regards to treatment, progression, and outcome, I personally feel RA Warrior has been a great source of information on a broad range of subjects, especially a few not addressed anywhere else on the internet. Being that it is information commented on by one individual as compared to a group, it is obvious that perspective would be narrower. That being said as a whole I feel it is a great site for a wide range of information and personal testimonies in regard to a disease that leaves most people feeling like the world has crashed down on them upon onset and diagnosis. Like any information offered regardless of the subject matter, take what you need and leave the rest.

Kelly I have personally never commented on your site but I want to say here I appreciate the effort and research you have devoted of your personal time to trying to educate anyone who wishes to have as much knowledge as they can gain. For me knowledge is empowering me to make decisions that will give me back as much of my life as is possible with as few side affects as possible. So again, Thank you.

Yep, as many similarities we all have (with this disease), our experiences will differ person by person.

I admire those who step up and learn and spoon feed me. I say get as Much information as you possibly Can. Sift through it, and apply what Works.

Thanks all for your responses. @life I figured I catch some slack from her followers. The site is informative I just hate to have to look up mortality rates as bcatz stated. :) However, I am still learning to read or not to read.

I personally love Kelly's site, but it does sometimes get a bit depressing. Still, I feel that that's part of the reality of living with RA. Particularly if your disease progresses as hers, and mine, do, where you simply aren't responding to any medications, and live every day with high-level pain in nearly every joint. Personally, I find all the information really empowering, albeit scary, and I like that the site doesn't give a picture of RA through "rose colored glasses," as sites like ArthritisToday do.

That said, if you're the type of person who ruminates over negative information, I totally understand why RA Warrior would be totally overwhelming, and may not help you. To each his own.

I find her "real" about RA. I appreciate the compilation of research and activism. But we each have to get information in the way that is best for us at the time. There's room for differences in approaches. Sometimes when people are in pain or crisis we turn on each other. We need each other. Who else understands RA like us?

Imformation is Power.............but I can not always look at the bald facts and figures...sometimes ignorance is bliss!

Some sage advice my RA doc gave me when I was first diagnosed is to look at when data was gathered for any findings on RA, even NIH data is a few years old. RA treatments have come a long way - even in 2 years!
In addition, each person has a different level of RA, and a different way of reacting to treatment. We're our own personal guinea pigs. Most of you know by now that what works for some will not work for all. I say all this because it is very easy to become discouraged. I've met people on DS who struggled for years but then found a treatment that works for them, and have gone from wheelchair, to being fully mobile.
It's fine to research, learn from others, etc., but do know that you will be unique in your treatment plan and management of RA.

I felt the same way about RA Warrier when I was first diagnosed. I couldn't take all the negative information about RA. It was and is very scary. Some of her stuff I agree with and sometimes I just can't read too much or I get overwhelmed. I am not a "follower" of RA Warrier, but I am following this disease and I am a realist so I try to be informed on all sides. This is a great site for support just as RA Warrier is a great place to find out more about "the beast" (in small doses...lol)

I'm finally in a place where for the first time in 6 years, since I got RA, I am happy. My pain is manageable, it's there but better, I'm feeling so positive after living in hell, for so long. I refuse to read anymore about RA. I don't want to know my future, I only want to know today, because today is a good day. Tomorrow might not be, but the day after that, might be again.
I don't want to be scared to live with RA anymore, I just want to live again! and I finally am! =)

for me she was a God-send when I was first dx. I am an info addict, and I was so sick at the time that the research to find it all would have been more than I could do.

I am the type that has to know worst case scenario...it actually helps me in a perverse way to know I am not the worst one out there...And I have to say I LOVE her sarcasm. I grew up with that as a primary form of communication in our family so it makes perfect sense to talk RA with that flavor. that said, I can see how some people wouldn't want that much info....I am not that way, but I can see there are some. Each person needs something different.

Anyone who has, or even think she might have, rheumtoid arthritis should go to a RHEUMATOLOGIST.

I am 78 and I have had RA since I was 40. If I had been going to a GP I would now be a helplrss cripple. I make it a practice to follow the directions on prescriptions but I do not look at side effects. (I know I could dream up all of them,)